Bell ringing device



June 27, 1950 R. BLACKBURN BELL RINGING DEVICE Filed Aug. 3, 1949ssovours k E6- Patented June 27, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3Claims.

The present invention pertains to a novel mechanism for automaticallyoperating church bells or a carillon.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which utilizes the momentum of the bell for setting theconnections of the actuating motor. Another object is to provide adouble circuit which is controlled by a low voltage circuit thatpresents no hazard with respect to fire and accidents.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism thatcan be extended or multiplied indefinitely, since each bell has its ownmotor and connections. Finally, it is an object of the invention toperform the stated functions in a simple and effective manner.

In the accomplishment of these objects, there is provided a circuit of550 volts feeding a motor connected to the shaft of a bell foroscillation. The motor is of the three-phase type and is connected tothe voltage source by wires passing through two interrupters to invertthe connections and change the direction of the motor. Another circuitof 24 volts operates to alternate the interrupters. This alternation isobtained by contacts which become elongated when the momentum of thebell opposes and reverses the direction of rotation of the bell. Theinvention also includes an automatic interrupter which anticipates theaforementioned alternation when the bell is about to make a completeturn.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the followingdescription and in the accompanying drawing in which the single figureis a Wiring diagram and schematic view of the apparatus.

References to these views will now be made of like characters which areemployed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

Each hell I in the belfry is actuated by a sprocket wheel 2 on a shaft3. By means of a sprocket chain 4 the wheel 2 is connected to a smallersprocket wheel 5 on a shaft 6 which is turned by an electric motor 1.The shaft 6 carries another sprocket wheel 8 connected by a chain 9 to asprocket wheel ID on a spaced shaft 1 I. The latter shaft carries apinion l2 meshing with a larger gear l3 on a shaft [4. The lattercarries a pinion I5 meshing with a larger gear 16 on a shaft l1 whichalso carries an adjustable twopart cam I8. A bent lever 19 pivoted at 2Bis engaged at one end by the cam l8. The other end of the lever carriesa contact 2| normally engaging a fixed contact 22.

On the shaft II is frictionally attached a pair of blocks 23 held bybolts 24. The bolts hold a lever 25 provided with a contact 26 at itsfree end for engagement with a fixed contact 21. In order to change thedirection of the motor 1, three conductors 28 from a source of 550 voltsare branched by conductors 3! to two multiple interrupter bars 29, 30.Each interrupter is completed by three contacts 29 on the bar and threecontacts 29" spaced from the bar. Conductors 3| extend from the contacts29" to the threephase motor 1.

From a source of 24 volts, a conductor 32 extends to a coil 33containing a core 34 attached to an interrupter bar 35. The bar carriesa double contact 36 adapted to engage either one of a pair of contacts31, 38 at opposite sides of the bar 35. The conductor 32 is continuedfrom the coil 33 to the contacts 26 and 21. A conductor 39 extends fromcontact 21 to a manual three-pole switch 40 either directly or through aclock mechanism 41 which actuates an interrupter at predeterminedintervals.

A pair of conductors 42, 43 extend from conductor 32 to a pair of coils44, 45 receiving respectively the cores 46 and 41 attached to the bars29, 30. The conductor 42 is extended from the coil 44 to the contact 31.

The bar 30 carries an additional contact 30' opposite which is spacedcontact 31'. The contact 30 is joined to the remaining side 41 of the 24volt circuit, and the contact 31" is joined by a conductor 48 to theline 32, with a signal 49 interposed.

In the use of the device, when the switch 43 is closed, current passesthrough conductor 39, contacts 21 and 26, and conductor 32 to completethe low voltage circuit through the coil 33. At the same time, thecurrent divides from the conductor 39 into a branch 50 leading to thecontacts 22 and 21 and flows from the latter through a line 51 to thedouble contact 36. The latter is in engagement with the contact 31 sincethe core 34 and bar 35 have been moved by current in the coil 33. Theconductor 42 is thus brought into the low voltage circuit, energizingthe coil 44 and bringing current to the corresponding contacts 29".

The 550 volt source is thus connected to the motor to turn it in a givendirection and also swing the bell I through the connected gearing. Thechain 9 also turns the cam 18 while the contacts 26, 21 remain engaged.Nevertheless, since the motor is incapable of swinging the bell througha pronounced angle at the beginning, the bell returns by its weight toits original position despite the action of the motor.

The blocks 23 are held frictionally on the shaft H. When the belldescends, the contacts 26, 21 separate and interrupt the current in coil33. The bar 35 drops, and contact 36 engages contact 38 to energize coil45. The connections to the motor are thereby reversed, reversing thedirection of the bell aided by its potential energy. The contacts 26, 21now re-engage to initiate another cycle as described.

The apparatus is adjusted so that the bell does not make a completerevolution. If the bell swings too far the adjustable cam 18 swingslever l9 and opens the contacts 2|, 22 to out 01f the supply of currentto contacts 31, 38 and thus replace the action of blocks 23 which wouldbe too late.

The signal 69 is operated each time the bar 30 closes its switch andthus shows that the device is in operation.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be understood that various alterations in the detailsof construction may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a bell ringing device, a rotatably mounted bell, a reversiblemotor geared thereto, a source of current connected to said motor, apair of i normally open switches between said source and motor andadapted, when closed, to turn said motor each in a different direction,a pair of solenoids for closing said switches, a low voltage circuitconnected to said solenoids, a three-pole switch for delivering currentselectively to said solenoids, a third solenoid in said low voltagecircuit for operating said three-pole switch, a shaft geared to saidbell, a friction block on said shaft, a current-controlling switchconnected to said third solenoid and to said friction block to be openedby movement of the latter, said threepole switch including two contactsconnected respectively to the first named solenoids and a movablecontact between the fixed contacts and operable by the third solenoid,to engage one of the fixed contacts when said third solenoid isenergized and to engage the other fixed contact when the third solenoidis de-energized, and a branch in said low voltage circuit for supplyingcurrent to said movable contact and hence to said first named solenoids.

2. In a bell ringing device, a rotatably mounted bell, a, reversiblemotor geared thereto, a source of current connected to said motor, apair of normally open switches between said source and motor andadapted, when closed, to turn said motor each in a difierent direction,a pair of solenoids for closing said switches, a low voltage circuitconnected to said solenoids, a three-pole switch for delivering currentselectively to said solenoids, a third solenoid in said low voltagecircuit for operating said three-pole switch, a shaft geared to saidbell, a friction block on said shaft, a current-controlling switchconnected to said third solenoid and to said friction block to be openedby movement of the latter, said threepole switch including two contactsconnected respectively to the first named solenoids and a movablecontact between the fixed contacts and operable by the third solenoid,to engage one of the fixed contacts when said third solenoid isenergized and to engage the other fixed contact when the third solenoidis de-energized, and a branch in said low voltage circuit for supplyingcurrent to said movable contact and hence to said first named solenoids,a rotary cam geared to said motor and bell, and a switch in said branchand adapted to be opened by said cam on excessive rotation of thelatter.

3. In a bell ringing device as defined in claim 2, said cam beingcircumferentially adjustable.

RAOUL BLACKBURN.

No references cited.

